Abstract

We present a new methodology for ray–tracing analysis of volume holographic imaging (VHI) systems. Using the k–sphere formulation, we apply geometrical relationships to describe the volumetric diffraction effects imposed on rays passing through a volume hologram. We explain the k–sphere formulation in conjunction with ray tracing process and describe its implementation in a Zemax®UDS (User Defined Surface). We conclude with examples of simulation and optimization results and show proof of consistency and usefulness of the proposed model.

Figures (6)

Layouts of several VHI systems with different volume hologram. Note that images are produced by Zemax®) with a realistic bi–convex lens (BK7, f=30 mm). dr and ds are distances from a volume hologram to point sources. They are used to specify the origin of spherical wavefronts.

Schematic of volume hologram UDS implementation in Zemax®, where Kg is the local grating vector and η0 is the local diffraction efficiency at (x,y,z), kp and kd are k-vectors of the incident and diffracted ray, respectively. kd is computed by the k–sphere formulation. The intensity I of the diffracted ray is η0×η, where η is computed by Eq. (10).